Saturday, January 21, 2023

21/01/2023 A few more photos from January.

The maximum temperature here today is 4⁰C, minimum -2⁰C.  Dry now, but 70% rain is forecast for today!  The remainder of the week it is just very cloudy and it gets colder!!  South-Westerly winds of 24km/h with gusts up to 49 km/h. 

Catkins on the Hazelnut tree.  We also had catkins in November so it seems to be confused.

Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera), just before the chill set in again...

and the return of the Hoverfly (Platycheirus scutatus)...

As above.

Greenfinch (Chloris chloris).

A Chaffinch in the rain (Fringilla coelebs).

A European Starling, taken from a distance, but a visitor not often seen in the garden. (Sturnus vulgaris).

Collard Doves ( Streptopelia decaocto) and House Sparrows (Passer domesticus).

 I can find very little info on this church in Massignac other than it is the Church of Saint Paul, it is built in a neo-gothic style, and the parish register dates back to 1658.  It is a catholic church.

Playing around with peacock feathers!

My pair of wooden ducks, bought on eBay about 20 years ago.  Love them.

19 January 17h00

20 January 10h30

As above.

Late on the 19th, it was very dark and snowing, the photos are taken through the window, not great photos but worth recording. Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus).

As above.

This will be my last blip probably until we return in April, but if I get a chance, and we have a WiFi connection when the electricity does work in South Africa I will try to get an odd post done!!
Take care everyone and stay safe.

My local list of wildflowers. (91 Species 13/12/2022).

Joining up with My Corner of the World.

 

27 comments:

  1. I love your wooden ducks, and your peacock feather creation, Diane. I'm also wowed by your visiting Cirl Bunting - as you probably know, that's a very localised species in UK, with Devon being its main (only?) stronghold.

    Have a wonderful stay in RSA - Lindsay is, at long last, coming along nicely now. Best wishes to you both - - - Richard

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    1. Hi Richard and I am delighted about the news for Lindsay. Hopefully now all is under control. I left all our house plants today with a friend. Her husband had a knee replacement about 3 months back and is now ready to have the second one done!.

      We did see the Cirl Bunting last year, but I was more than delighted to see it back again. It was late in the evening when I spotted it, and it was snowing, so not ideal trying to get a shot through the double glazing!

      I hope you both keep well, take care and I will be in touch. Very best wishes to you both Diane.

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  2. That Greenfinch looks so lovely! We had some snow two days ago too, but it didn't stay and today it's minus 4...too cold for snow. I love esp. the shot of peacock feathers.

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    1. Thanks Angie, I think the rest of the week here is going to be too cold for snow as well! Keep well Diane.

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  3. It is unusual to see snow in your photos, Diane, I hope you have a great time on your trip. Take care.

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    1. It does not often happen here but it is an interesting change 😊 Thanks and take care Diane

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  4. Hi Diane - always so pleased to see your selections - and yes those wooden ducks were a good ebay purchase. It's been chilly here ... with flakes of snow but it didn't settle here - though closed Manchester airport? I remember the 1962/3 time frame - which is being remembered after 60 years ... what would we do now - we'd come to a grinding halt - no grinding, just a halt! Enjoy SA and I do hope Eskom holds up ... cheers Hilary

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    1. Hi Hilary, Eskom is a big problem but hopefully we will get used to not having electricity for many hours a day or sometimes all day!! Yes the Big Freeze happened when we we were in Rhodesia but I remember family complaining. I agree the whole place would come to a halt if it happened now! Take care and keep well, Diane

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  5. Enjoy your trip Diane. The war nth and sunshine will be very welcome after this winter.

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    1. Thanks Phil, yes I am looking forward to the heat but I am hoping that the humidity will drop, friends are complaining at the moment!! Take care and keep ringing, Diane

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  6. Happy travels, Diane. I'll look forward to reconnecting in April. Bisous - David

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    1. Thanks David. I know I am going to come home with far too many photos!!! Bisous Diane

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  7. Oh la pluie, elle est tombée trop longtemps ! Ton jardin est beau sous la neige. À la maison elle n'a pas tenu. Mais le froid glacial est bien là.
    Bisous ma voisine charentaise.

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    1. Merci Nathalie, il fait très froid ici aujourd'hui. Je vais adorer voir le soleil en Afrique du Sud. Bisous Diane

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  8. That Hoverfly, what a star! Great photos! Enjoy your travels, Diane.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. Thanks Amelia, we have great plans so hope they all fall into place 😊 Keep well Diane

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  9. Fabulous photos, I loved them all but that peacock feather was striking! Have a wonderful trip, I will look forward to stories of your travels on your return :)

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    1. Thanks Denise, I hope I get some good photos. Cheers Diane

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  10. The snow is such a shocker, to the flowers and insects too. Best of travels.

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    1. Thanks and if only the cold weather would kill the weeds but it seems they survive anything! Thanks, hugs Diane

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  11. Happy holiday and enjoy your trip. Looking forward to all the photos you will be taking on your trip.

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    1. I am sure there will be far too many and t takes ages to sort them all out!! Thanks, keep well Diane

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  12. Lots of cool pics of birds. And you got snow! Cool....we have had about an inch if that much, nothing compared to last yr. Funny how things change! Loving that church. Bet it is beautiful inside.

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    1. Thanks Pam. Hope all is well. Take care Diane

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  13. Fab photos as usual. The snowy ones look cold. You'll feel the difference in SA. Have fun and stay safe.

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  14. Your bird photos are always lovely, even through a window. It was cold for a while in the US Deep South but not as cold as up north where you’d freeze in a minute standing outside. I hope you have a great time during your trip.

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